DENVER, Colo. – Colorado State needed a steal and three points with 1.4 seconds left, but was unable to capitalize as the Rams fell to Denver, 64-61, at Magness Arena on Wednesday night.

CSU (1-4) had an eight-point lead, but a relentless DU (4-0) team was able to tie the game with 6:11 remaining in the contest. The Rams regained the lead, but the Pioneers tied it again and took the lead with less than two minutes to go. Sam Martin kept the Rams alive, tying the score at 58 with 23.5 seconds remaining, but they were forced to send Denver to the line to regain possession. The Pioneers hit the free throws they needed to hit, sealing the win.

“Even when we were ahead by eight points, we played like we were behind,” said Head Coach Kristen Holt. “We played frantic. We just need to know we’re in control. I thought that we did get some good play out of people, but it goes back to taking care of the ball and we’re not doing that right now.”

Martin finally seemed to find her groove Wednesday after a rough start to the season. She registered her fifth career double-double with a career-high 28 points and a career-best 13 rebounds in the contest.

Freshman LaDeyah Forte also added to her career high in points. She tallied seven in 29 minutes of play. Kim Mestdagh scored double-figures for fourth consecutive game with 15.

Colorado State quickly found itself in a 12-point deficit midway through the first half as the team had trouble getting their shots to fall. Mestdagh then sparked a Rams comeback with just over five minutes remaining, closing out the first stanza on a 17-4 run, giving them a two-point lead at the half.

Freshman Kara Spotton sustained an eye injury early in the game, forcing her to sit out for the rest of the matchup. Meghan Heimstra also missed significant playing time, receiving her fourth personal foul with over 11 minutes left in the contest.

The Rams will have a quick break for the Thanksgiving holiday before a trip to Montana State on Tuesday. Tipoff at the Bobcats is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.